Riyadh, March 08, 2025 – In a groundbreaking achievement, Saudi Arabia’s non-profit sector has surpassed a significant milestone, contributing over SAR 100 billion to the Kingdom’s economy, accounting for an impressive 3.3% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This marks the first time in the country’s history that the non-profit sector has reached such a substantial economic footprint. The data comes from the Prospects for the Non-Profit Sector 2025 report published by the King Khalid Foundation.
The report highlights the increasing importance of the non-profit sector to Saudi Arabia’s economy and its rapid growth trajectory. Several key areas have driven this expansion, with Awqaf (religious endowments) contributing SAR 48 billion, according to the General Authority for Awqaf. Additionally, non-profit organizations themselves accounted for SAR 47 billion in spending, as per the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). Other segments, such as volunteering and cooperative societies, also made significant economic contributions, adding an estimated SAR 5 billion and SAR 2 billion, respectively, as reported by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
Notably, the rapid growth of the non-profit sector has put the Kingdom on track to achieve the ambitious Vision 2030 target of raising the non-profit sector’s contribution to 5% of GDP two years ahead of schedule. This remarkable progress reflects the increasing role of the non-profit sector in driving Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification and social development.
A closer examination of the report reveals that education and research organizations have emerged as the primary revenue generators within the non-profit sector, surpassing SAR 19 billion in revenue. Meanwhile, health organizations led in terms of spending, contributing a substantial SAR 15 billion. This is largely due to the strategic conversion of government assets in health and education into non-profit entities, a shift that has proven to be both economically beneficial and aligned with the Kingdom's broader social goals.
Furthermore, organizations in the culture, entertainment, and social services sectors reported the highest employment rates within the non-profit sector, indicating a growing demand for workers in these areas as the sector expands. This surge in employment has contributed to further economic development and social cohesion, highlighting the broader societal impact of the sector’s growth.
The report also delves into the funding landscape of the non-profit sector, emphasizing the role of both government support and digital donation platforms in fueling its expansion. In 2024, these platforms collectively raised over SAR 15 billion, with the National Platform for Charitable Work (Ehsan) playing a pivotal role in facilitating donations. The platform saw significant contributions from small donors, with amounts as low as SAR 1, SAR 10, and SAR 100, which collectively added up to a substantial portion of the donations. At the same time, major philanthropists, who contributed SAR 100,000 or more, accounted for 26% of the total contributions, underscoring the continued importance of both grassroots and large-scale giving.
On a community level, engagement in the non-profit sector remained strong, with 23% of Saudi citizens participating in volunteer work and 47% making donations in 2024. This reflects a deep-rooted culture of philanthropy and social responsibility in Saudi Arabia, with a growing number of citizens actively contributing to the country’s non-profit initiatives.
Overall, the report provides a comprehensive overview of the non-profit sector’s evolving role in Saudi Arabia’s economic and social landscape. As the sector continues to grow, it remains a critical player in advancing the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals, fostering social development, and promoting economic diversification.